We have our winners. This contest was to help us promote the writing contests for the Xulon publishing packages. Our next contest will be to promote and online church that meets the needs of many who cannot attend church so watch for it. Thanks to all who entered.

Our three judges chose:

First Place and a $100 Cash Prize

The Reluctant Mom by Toni Hammer

I’m a stay at home Mom who never wanted kids.

My sister had a daughter. My friends started having children. I liked them and all, but was it for me? No. I have a temper so I wouldn’t be good with discipline. I’m independent so having to give up everything I want for someone who can’t even walk didn’t sound like fun. My husband and I had dreams of traveling the States in a motorhome and you can’t do that when you have toddlers in tow. I was too selfish to have children and smart enough to know that.

Then I got pregnant. Three months after giving birth to my daughter, I got pregnant again with my son. It’s funny how God works.

While my life has changed dramatically—my plans converting to His plans—I couldn’t ask for more. Being a stay at home Mom is an honest blessing. I mean that.

But…

It is also an all-consuming job. There’s no leaving work at the office. My home is my office. My kitchen is my office. My bed is my office. My work is everywhere all the time.

This can be overwhelming and intimidating for anyone, let alone someone who never intended on this being their vocation. Up until a few months ago it was all I thought about. What’s for dinner? What needs to be cleaned? Whose laundry needs to be done? Day and night the daily and weekly tasks of my never-ending job were all I thought about.

An afternoon conversation with my mother changed all that. I was telling her of my joys and woes and she said, “You need something else to think about. You need something that’s yours.” She was right; I needed something to look forward to that was solely for me. It couldn’t have any correlation to my kids, my home, or my husband. Something that was all mine. Mine mine mine.

It was a brilliant suggestion, but what was that thing going to be? Sewing, dancing, crafting, curling?

Then I found FaithWriters.

If you’re a Christian writer, as I have now become, I highly encourage you to check out FaithWriters. They have a weekly writing challenge with cash prizes, an amazing community in their forums, writing courses, publisher information and the list goes on. As fabulous as all that is, they are currently having a couple contests. Don’t you want to honor the Lord with the gift He’s given you and win something?

Their big ticket item is a Xulon Best Seller package which includes such awesome amenities as a professional marketing specialist, review of your manuscript, and a custom designed book cover.

Do you have a story that’s been rolling around in the back of your head but you need some motivation to get working on it? They’re giving this publishing package to the best work of fiction submitted before November 30, 2014. Even better, you don’t need to have the whole manuscript complete—just the first chapter and a synopsis of the story. That should make any procrastinator happy.

Perhaps you’re not the novel writing type, but you still want to glorify the Lord with the gift He’s blessed you with. They’re also having a Christian testimony publishing contest. If you have a compelling story of how you came to know the Lord, or how you endured difficult circumstances and came through it with a stronger relationship with Jesus, please check it out. If your story encourages even just one person, doesn’t that make it worth writing?

If the contests aren’t for you, or if you enter and don’t win, please still consider joining FaithWriters. Members get amazing discounts on Xulon packages as well as many other services and, hey, you already started writing—may as well see it through to the end, right?

I truly cannot stress enough how much of a blessing FaithWriters has been to me. In the short time I’ve been a member, my writing has improved, I’ve been encouraged in my walk with the Lord, and I see some budding friendships looming on the horizon. Writing for the Lord is my thing. I finally have a thing.

It’s first thing on Saturday morning. The mail arrives: two unpaid bills and an ominous self-addressed envelope. Yet another rejection letter from a publisher. I turn them over while I make a coffee to calm my desperation.

“Lord, help my finances. Guide me to the right publisher. Amen” As the hot water hits the coffee and the aroma rises, I recall the verse:

“May my pray be set before you like incense…” Ps 141 v 2

I imagine the coffee vapour carrying my prayer heavenward into the Father’s hands, and I am comforted.

“Mom, you’ve got mail.” My son waves the letters right in my face. I try, unsuccessfully to hide my grimace.

“What’s the point of even opening it? I know what is says.”

“Hey, I’ll do it.” He opens the envelope and reads out: “Unfortunately, we are unable to publish this time…How manys that now, Mom?”

“Nine. And it’s always the same response. ‘The book is well written but due to an overwhelming number of quality manuscripts we do not currently have the resources to publish yours.’”

“So why not self-publish? Mrs Simon self-published a recipe book online.” Mrs Simon is an elderly neighbour. My son has been helping her use the internet to publish Christian articles and book a holiday online.

I’m ready for the self-publishing question. “You need time, patience and technical ability to format and upload your book. I don’t know how to market it online.”

Note: The prize for this blog contest is not a publishing package. This is a blog contest promoting the fact that we will be awarding three Xulon publishing packages in 2014. This contest has specific prizes listed below.

Important - To enter this contest you must first go here http://faithwriters.com/christianwritingcontest.htmlto learn the guidelines for these contests in general. Please check it out even if you have entered these contests before. Watch the short videos on link building, we have made it super simple. Then you can come back to this forum and get the specifics to enter this contest.

FaithWriters arrangement with Xulon Press and the awarding of three publishing packages and discounts on packages purchased will be a huge benefit to our members and a greatly needed boost for FaithWriters. Ninety eight percent of our members are free members and we could definitely use some more upgraded members to cover costs and enhance our ability. We hope you will see fit to enter this blog contest and help us.

Today we start a contest that will promote FaithWriters.com and the awarding of these three comprehensive publishing packages in 2014. These packages retail at over $4,000 each and two will be awarded to individual Platinum members. One will be awarded to a combination of 50 Platinum and Gold members who will be published in a second Testimony book. You can find the details here http://faithwriters.com/win_a_publishing_package.php

Guidelines

1. 750 words or less2. Post the article in our regular articles section, this forum and one other location. 3. Use and link three keywords from our list in each article posting with the exception of this forum where it is not required to have working links.4. Deadline is midnight 2-28-14

4. Catchy title, imaginative and unique article that will hold a readers interest and get them to click on one of the links to FaithWriters. Dialogs are great and a lot of fun to write. Read the winner in God Speaks to get a great idea on dialogs viewtopic.php?f=92&t=36826.

Review the winning articles in the other contests. They are always listed as the first three articles in closed contests that indicate "Winners Here Now". viewforum.php?f=92

5. Remember, this forum is where you submit your copy for judging by clicking the reply button and posting it. At the end of your article in this forum only, list your name, membership level (silver, gold, platinum), member number and the links to the two other places you posted your article. One of those links will lead to where you posted it in our regular articles and one to another location you posted it in.

6. Questions like - How to create contextual links and where to post my articles and others are answered in the following link. If you have competed in these contests before you will notice there is not a list of pre-linked keywords. This is because it is so simple to link words to a URL in the Regular Articles Rich Text Editor. Watch the video on linking found on this page - http://faithwriters.com/christianwritingcontest.html.

Recently, I came across something interesting and to any upcoming Christian writer this will be extremely good news. Has anyone, over the years watched your eyes light up with excitement any time you talk about writing? Do you sometimes find yourself typing away ceaselessly instead of watching television or going shopping? You probably have several manuscripts on your flash disk and perhaps it has been a silent dream of yours to be published some day. When people read your blog, do they tell you that you’re a good story teller? At the back of your mind, I can bet that you do believe that you have some talent. Now, it’s time to test your writing skills by entering your work in a Christian writing contest. Who knows? You could win a Xulon publishing package. What’s more, it could even be the coveted Xulon Best Seller package awarded by the largest, most experienced Christian owned and operated print-on-demand self publisher of Christian books!

When you write, you feel alive and passion exudes from your work - surely it is more than just a hobby. If the financial potential for you were negligible at best and there didn’t exist a single Christian writing contest that would give the much needed exposure to a rising Christian writer like you, I believe that you would still write. But thank God, here is an enormous opportunity. Having helped over 10,000 Christian authors get their books published, this great company is willing to extend the same help to you in publishing your work. Their tagline: “We serve Him by serving you!” says that it is definitely much more than a publishing press. It is a ministry.

For a person with a zeal for writing, like you, it was only a matter of time before you found the right ministry for your writing. Here is a trustworthy saying, there is an appointed time for everything and there is a time for every event under heaven. Take this as your appointed time. Consider it your time to hone your skills and showcase your writing in a Christian writing contest. In addition to that, you’ll be building your treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in as you share the message of grace and hope to the hurting world.

If there is profit in all labor, what benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? Day after day, people gain something by working - a paycheck, a sense of satisfaction at a job well done, a measure of self-esteem, or some adjustments in the way the world works. These are all good things, but they are all temporary. This Christian writing contest will open doors to the permanent things – the treasures of heaven as well as help you put your talent to work. If God has laid on your heart a burden to share His goodness by means of writing, then you already have an amazing way of putting words together. The Lord that gives you the words will also grant you placement in the great company of those that that publish it - should you win a Xulon publishing package. So take pleasure in the work God has given you and let Him accomplish His purposes through your work.

As a Christian writer you possess a special God-given talent and I urge you to seize this favorable opportunity that has presented itself to you because time and tide wait for no man. Time is short; therefore procrastination is not an option. Look at it this way: If you remain silent at this time, your assignment might be given to another and it will deny the people that God has sent you to a chance to read of His love from you. Furthermore, who knows but that you have this special talent for such a time as this? Since you already understand what the will of the Father is, exercise your gifts and talents in this wise, redeeming time. Then on that day, how sweet to your ears these words will sound, when the master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”

Been out shoveling snow. Came in checked my email and behold I had a Faithwriters blog; a great communication, a must read. The blog shared the news about another Christian writing contest-Faithwriters is just full of contests these days.

Normally I don’t have or take enough time between trying to write for a living and just plain living to take a moment to focus on a contest but today I can’t or maybe don’t want to have to go back outside. So I can look busy and write for the contest.

The good news is being a contest winner could put me in position to win a Xulon publishing package. And since I have several books underway; this could be a good thing. Looking good here-a win-win situation.

I could even come up with something new as I work to enter the Christian fiction publishing contest and the Christian testimony publishing contest, well maybe not seems that has a different slant. Wait a minute, I think I need to look back at the write-up on them-maybe later.

Also I really need to take the time to check out the Xulon discount publishing packages. The thing about Xulon is I really don’t know anything about them but with a name like Xulon, you gotta be good for something. You are not going to forget it once it is logged in your head. But I haven’t got a clue to what it means.

Maybe this information will come up and slap me in the face during my time at the keyboard. Something else to keep me occupied while the “white stuff” falls.. The publishing world is a foreign county and speaks a foreign language for me but having someone recommended by Faithwriters could be “my hope” and the way God has planned for me to carry out my mission and calling as a writer.

If I take the time to investigate it seems that Xulon Best Seller Package could be just the thing for me.

I think I’ll linger at the keyboard, the snow shoveling can wait. After all when it gets dark I can’t see it and tomorrow is another day.

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14, KJV.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the renowned, incredulous event on which the whole world should be focused. Along with other Christian organizations, the Christian writer shares the responsibility of presenting all facts relating to the above biblical message in a format that can be read and understood by everyone. Also, there’s something crucially important to remember as we wait for the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. While His Coming will usher in peace and happiness for all eternity, what many of us may not be ready to accept is before this blessed period can begin, the world will experience a time of massive desolation and tribulation unlike anything ever before experienced. Therefore, in addition to writing about the assurance of God’s unconditional love, grace and mercy, people will need to be prepared to face the onset of this time of peril with the full armor of God in place.

To this end, Faithwriters, a company whose purpose is the advancement of the Word of God by helping the talented Christian writer present this Word to the general public, has entered into an arrangement with a publishing company called Xulon Press. Xulon Press is a self-publishing company that offers the service of all aspects of the publishing business in total.

Imagine this: You’ve just spent months, possibly years, making observations, researching and writing about your favorite subject and you’ve now completed what you believe is a viable work of art. Now the time comes to search for a publishing company and/or agent to whom you’ll submit this work and this could involve researching websites and attending literary and book festivals to establish contact with this revered group. Next is the job of preparing proposals for submission, and reviewing and following submission guidelines. Then, if you’re fortunate to have your book accepted, what follows are the discussions leading to necessary legal agreements that must be made. This is a rigorous, time-consuming pursuit that you can bet only a fortunate few can escape.

Bear in mind that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional method of publishing. After all, it has served well for hundreds of thousands of authors over the years. However, technology has introduced a new way for writers of this present age that gives us opportunities that didn’t exist before. As a result, publishing companies are able to take full advantage of this technological era by providing a “self-publishing” option that can remove all the complexities involved with conventional book publishing.

Xulon Press is a one-stop shop for publication, distribution and marketing of a finished product using print-on-demand digital technology. Authors from all walks of life can seek the help of this company and find their services to be people friendly as well as affordable. When using Xulon Press, it’s possible for good writers to have their books published and in the hands of thousands of readers in less than 90 days! But wait, there’s more!

As mentioned earlier, the single most important function of the Christian writer is getting the Word of God out to this world that so desperately needs to hear it. We need a publisher who is not only sensitive to our needs as we search for a company with whom to work, but also who understands the importance of presenting the Word of God in an unbiased medium. Another advantage of Xulon Press is in addition to offering professional publishing services, their very motto expresses their complete servitude to God by serving their writers.

Faithwriters recognizes Xulon Press as a worthy Biblically based company that has consolidated the entire publishing process into an accessible print distribution system. Christian writers are now needed so through their joint arrangement, Faithwriters is sponsoring a Christian writing contest throughout this next year in which winners can win a Xulon publishing package. Writers who realize the importance of getting God’s Word out to worldwide readership will come to view this union as an unsurpassed opportunity that may never again be available.

So let’s put on our thinking caps, rev up our computers and let Faithwriters and Xulon Press help us get the Word out to our readership as expeditiously as possible!

My sister had a daughter. My friends started having children. I liked them and all, but was it for me? No. I have a temper so I wouldn’t be good with discipline. I’m independent so having to give up everything I want for someone who can’t even walk didn’t sound like fun. My husband and I had dreams of traveling the States in a motorhome and you can’t do that when you have toddlers in tow. I was too selfish to have children and smart enough to know that.

Then I got pregnant. Three months after giving birth to my daughter, I got pregnant again with my son. It’s funny how God works.

While my life has changed dramatically—my plans converting to His plans—I couldn’t ask for more. Being a stay at home Mom is an honest blessing. I mean that.

But…

It is also an all-consuming job. There’s no leaving work at the office. My home is my office. My kitchen is my office. My bed is my office. My work is everywhere all the time.

This can be overwhelming and intimidating for anyone, let alone someone who never intended on this being their vocation. Up until a few months ago it was all I thought about. What’s for dinner? What needs to be cleaned? Whose laundry needs to be done? Day and night the daily and weekly tasks of my never-ending job were all I thought about.

An afternoon conversation with my mother changed all that. I was telling her of my joys and woes and she said, “You need something else to think about. You need something that’s yours.” She was right; I needed something to look forward to that was solely for me. It couldn’t have any correlation to my kids, my home, or my husband. Something that was all mine. Mine mine mine.

It was a brilliant suggestion, but what was that thing going to be? Sewing, dancing, crafting, curling?

Then I found FaithWriters.

If you’re a Christian writer, as I have now become, I highly encourage you to check out FaithWriters. They have a weekly writing challenge with cash prizes, an amazing community in their forums, writing courses, publisher information and the list goes on. As fabulous as all that is, they are currently having a couple contests. Don’t you want to honor the Lord with the gift He’s given you and win something?

Their big ticket item is a Xulon Best Seller package which includes such awesome amenities as a professional marketing specialist, review of your manuscript, and a custom designed book cover.

Do you have a story that’s been rolling around in the back of your head but you need some motivation to get working on it? They’re giving this publishing package to the best work of fiction submitted before November 30, 2014. Even better, you don’t need to have the whole manuscript complete—just the first chapter and a synopsis of the story. That should make any procrastinator happy.

Perhaps you’re not the novel writing type, but you still want to glorify the Lord with the gift He’s blessed you with. They’re also having a Christian testimony publishing contest. If you have a compelling story of how you came to know the Lord, or how you endured difficult circumstances and came through it with a stronger relationship with Jesus, please check it out. If your story encourages even just one person, doesn’t that make it worth writing?

If the contests aren’t for you, or if you enter and don’t win, please still consider joining FaithWriters. Members get amazing discounts on Xulon packages as well as many other services and, hey, you already started writing—may as well see it through to the end, right?

I truly cannot stress enough how much of a blessing FaithWriters has been to me. In the short time I’ve been a member, my writing has improved, I’ve been encouraged in my walk with the Lord, and I see some budding friendships looming on the horizon. Writing for the Lord is my thing. I finally have a thing.

“God please show me, God please show me, God please show me,“ Becky mumbled, as she tossed and turned on the bed.

“Becky honey, wake up!”

Devon had been repeating these same words to his wife night after night for what seemed like months now. He knew Becky was a writer and, not just a writer, a Christian writer. He knew God had given Becky a message to share with the world.

Devon’s heart felt turmoil because of his inability to provide the money it would cost for Becky to get her book published, but together they’d been praying and believing God would make it happen.

Becky rolled over and cuddled Devon, “Honey, it’s been almost a year since I’ve finished writing this book. I don’t know why God hasn’t shown us the light of day yet, but we know it’s not about our timing—it’s about His.”

Cock-a-doodle-do, Devon’s Christmas gift from his mom resonated through their bedroom.

“Mom sure knows how to get me to see the light of day every morning, doesn’t she?” Devon snickered, jumped out of bed, tapped the alarm off button, and headed to the bathroom.

Becky sat in bed and prayed quietly.

Dear Father, I know my ways are not your ways and, my thoughts are not your thoughts. I believe, when you’re ready for the door to open, this book will get out to the world. Thank you, Lord, Amen.

She hopped out of bed and moseyed into the kitchen to make breakfast for Devon.

“You’re not eating breakfast with me this morning?” Devon asked, as he sat down at the kitchen table.

“I’m not hungry, I’ll just eat an apple this morning. I’m planning to meet Kathy at the gym after lunch. What do you have to do today?”

“Jack, asked me to go across town to do an inspection on a new building.” Devon swallowed his last bite and grabbed his keys, “I’ll see you this afternoon. Have a great day, honey.”

Becky arrived at the gym a few minutes early. Kathy wasn’t there yet. Next door to the gym was a Christian bookstore. She noticed an advertisement on the window about a Christian writing contest.

I wonder if this is the Lord’s . . .

“Hey Beck, you ready to workout?” Kathy interrupted Becky’s thoughts.

“Oh, hey Kat! Look, it’s a writing contest.” Becky pointed to the poster, “I think I’ll enter. Be right back.” She dashed into the bookstore to grab a pamphlet and shoved it in her purse to look it over later with Devon.

Devon arrived to do his inspection. As he walked toward the new building he couldn’t believe his eyes. He saw a poster in the window that read, Win A Xulon Publishing Package. He wrote down the information and quickly got busy doing the inspection. He was anxious to get home and share the news with Becky. He knew, the way she wrote, she had a solid chance of winning.

When Devon arrived home he hurried in the door, “Becky, where are you?”

“In the laundry room,” she called.

As Devon walked down the hall he said, “I’ve got some great news for you!”

“Really? That’s awesome. Now let me tell you my great news. You, my darling, have a chance of getting published.”

“Are you serious? How?”

“There was a poster at the building I inspected today. Here’s the information, check it out.”

“Wow. Cool.” Becky giggled, “and I picked up a pamphlet today but I was waiting for you, to look at it.”

Becky’s purse was sitting on the dryer. She pulled out the folded pamphlet and opened it. Front and center were the words, ‘FaithWriters And Xulon Press’ and, directly under that, ‘Win a Xulon Publishing Package.’

“No way, this is exactly the same information you got off the poster Dev.”

“We’ve been praying Becky. God came through again. It must be His time.”

Becky hugged Devon then ran down the hall to her office. She turned on the computer and immediately typed in the search bar—Win a Xulon Publishing Package—the first result was, FaithWriter’s.com Win a Publishing Package.

While she waited for the page to load she prayed.

Father, it’s all about you. If it’s meant to be it will happen. Thank you, Jesus.

For anyone looking for an excellent Christian writers website, there's some really exciting stuff going on over at Faithwriters.com. I have been a member since February of 2012 now, and my writing career has really taken off. For a novice like me, having two short stories published as well as winning a spot in a Christian testimony publishing contest have been two of my life's greatest thrills.

Aside from all these fantastic new contests going on, Faithwriters.com offers a weekly Challenge Contest to all members to hone your writing skills and get professional feedback, and a new blogging contest each month. As a former winner of one of the monthly blogging contests, I can tell you it feels really good to win one of those cash prizes.

Membership to this fine site is free for silver membership, but let me assure you, you will want to upgrade to a Gold or Platinum membership for a very small monthly fee. Believe me, it is worth its weight in gold for the Christian writer looking for a home. There are many benefits for the upgraded member you won't find anywhere else on the web.

When I started out on Faithwriters, the only skill for being a writer was the strong desire to be a writer. The wonderful people there showed me the right way to put my writing out there! Essentially, they taught me how to write! I knew I had the words in me, I just didn't know how to write them with the proper punctuation and in a way that others would want to read them.

You will also make friends from all over the world at Faithwriters.com. People who love Jesus as much as you do and will help you grow both in your writing and your faith.

So, come on and stop by Faithwriters.com and see all the awesome things this christian writers website has to offer. Try the free membership and I guarantee you will want to upgrade in no time. I'll look forward to seeing you there.

“Hey sister,” Ennis waved to Tosha. “You put anymore thought into writing?”Tosha, absently scrambled to collect baby Mattie, before he could scamper off through the crowd of people exiting through the sanctuary doors.

“Hey, brother E! You know what, I did think about it. But then I thought, ‘Who’s got time to write?’ Between schooling the kids, laundry, meals, shopping; I just don’t know if I’ve really got time to devote to it.”

Ennis nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Sometimes, I feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do the things I have to do; let alone time for following my secret passion.”

“Exactly! I’d love to give it a try, but there’s always something to do. Plus, there’s no real guarantee that I’m good enough to reach people with my writing. I’m sure there are a million folks out there that would make a better Christian writer, than lil’ ol’ me.”

“Well sister, remember pastor did remind us that God can take a ‘nobody’ and use him or her to do miraculous things for the kingdom, through their God-given talents. Believe me…I know.”

“But you’re a real writer, brother. I’m just an average Mom. What can I possibly have to say to someone, to keep their interest?”

Ennis’ face scrunched into a confused gaze.

“That’s a trick question, right? At this moment, Faithwriters.com, the site I told you about last week, is hosting a Christian writing contest, a Christian fiction publishing contest and a Christian testimony publishing contest.”

“Wow.”

“Tosha, these are real people entering these contests; not celebrity or professional writers. They’re everyday Joes, like you and me, simply telling their life stories. Truth always makes for the best type of reading. Everyone’s got a story to tell! I tend to sway toward fiction because I happen to be an excellent liar.”

Tosha erupted in laughter.

“Seriously, sister: Satan doesn’t always have to attack us with an obvious blow, to keep us from doing the will of God. Sometimes, all he has to do is keep us occupied with everyday life. If we’re too busy to follow the Lord’s instruction, then what type of threat are we to the enemy?”

Tosha’s glow faded. She fidgeted.

“Please, don’t misunderstand me. You’re an awesome Mom and an amazing wife: so says brother Nik. But what if God intended for you to reach out to people…let’s say Moms…through the ministry of writing?”

“Hmm. I never really thought about that.”

“This year, a few writers are gonna have the opportunity to win a Xulon publishing package. A few others will be blessed with a discount on Xulon publishing packages. Tosha, I’m entering because I’d love to win one of those.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good deal.”

“Yeah, well what if this is your time to shine for the Lord, sister? What if you give Him your best effort, and He turns your effort into a publishing package for distribution throughout the world? Can you imagine that?”

“Wow, that would be awesome, brother! But-”

“No ‘BUTs’! Can you imagine where we would be today, if Peter had said, ‘But, I can’t go with you. I have to stay out and fish!’ Or what if Paul said, ‘But you can’t be the Lord! I’ve been trained to recognize him, when he shows up; you are not him!’”

“Wow; harsh brother. I mean, we’re just talking about a few lines here and there.” Tosha shifted Mattie to her free arm.

“I know; maybe a bit extreme. But…what if it isn’t Tosha? What if this is your chance to follow your secret passion for the Lord? I can guarantee you this: even if you don’t win anything, your writing is going to impact someone’s life. Faithwriters reaches out all over the world, through Christian sites and daily devotionals. When you write for God, you’re doing His work and He honors that. What might seem like a few lines to you, just might make all the difference to someone in France. I’ve seen it happen with my own supposed frivolous lines.”

3-15-15Tosha carefully cut the tape from the box top, and smiled as she opened the cover to a stack of freshly printed soft-cover books. Each bore her name and face across the front cover. She thanked God for the courage to follow His lead, a year ago.

It’s first thing on Saturday morning. The mail arrives: two unpaid bills and an ominous self-addressed envelope. Yet another rejection letter from a publisher. I turn them over while I make a coffee to calm my desperation.

“Lord, help my finances. Guide me to the right publisher. Amen” As the hot water hits the coffee and the aroma rises, I recall the verse:

“May my pray be set before you like incense…” Ps 141 v 2

I imagine the coffee vapour carrying my prayer heavenward into the Father’s hands, and I am comforted.

“Mom, you’ve got mail.” My son waves the letters right in my face. I try, unsuccessfully to hide my grimace.

“What’s the point of even opening it? I know what is says.”

“Hey, I’ll do it.” He opens the envelope and reads out: “Unfortunately, we are unable to publish this time…How manys that now, Mom?”

“Nine. And it’s always the same response. ‘The book is well written but due to an overwhelming number of quality manuscripts we do not currently have the resources to publish yours.’”

“So why not self-publish? Mrs Simon self-published a recipe book online.” Mrs Simon is an elderly neighbour. My son has been helping her use the internet to publish Christian articles and book a holiday online.

I’m ready for the self-publishing question. “You need time, patience and technical ability to format and upload your book. I don’t know how to market it online.”

In the 6th chapter of Judges, versus 14-16 reads, “The LORD turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

Christian writer – it is time. God is sending you to answer the call to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is time for you to write, publish and share His goodness and grace. Partner with Xulon and receive a discount on a publishing package.

Maybe you feel weak and afraid. Maybe you believe you have nothing to offer and nothing of importance to say. But God says otherwise. Just like He told Gideon, God is saying to you, “Christian writer, ‘Go in the strength you have…I will be with you.’”

Maybe you tried to do this before – alone. Delving into the mirage of information about writing can be overwhelming. The tangent of online information can begin with the business of writing and conclude with securing gigs, managing contracts or any topic in between. Where does a person begin? How does a person make sense of it all?

Simple. We make sense of it by being led by the Spirit of God and following those instructions. So, if God says enter to Win a Xulon Publishing package, do it. (They are awarding three packages this year. Apply for one!)

Now, I have to admit, I acted just like Gideon a year ago. Using a small amount of faith, I submitted a blog post to a New York company. I tested God and God showed out. The article was accepted, a check was printed and mailed to my address.

The point is Christian writers begin with a little faith and the knowledge that God has led them to this path. We surrender to the call, answer it and humbly, slowly and maybe even with reservations – write and then, publish.

One online suggestion for new writers was to enter writing contests. Yet, what I found intimidating about that suggestion was where to find a Christian contest for Christian writers? Fortunately for me, I had been introduced to and eventually joined Faithwriters.com some time ago. I had to surrender – again – and begin to familiarize myself with this resource that I believe God led me to use.

I found a source of information to satisfy my curiosity and support my adventure into the world of writing. Faithwriters.com offered me writing classes, a support group to critique my written thoughts and leads on paying jobs.

Now, publishing wasn’t initially on the horizon for me when I first began to take this call to write seriously. Yet, the chance to enter a Christian writing contest was a comforting idea. If I knew anything, I mused, I knew Christianity. All those years of Sunday school, morning worship and Bible study over the course of my lifetime had to amount to something. But did I know enough to enter a Christian fiction publishing contest or Win a Xulon publishing package?

You, nor I, will never know our full potential under the guidance of God’s support unless we write! There is no way around it. There is no side stepping it. A desire to obey God and shun fear will prompt us to answer the compelling call to write. Because it is when we write that the enemies, called fear and doubt, lose their battle. It is when we write that our testimonies and stories strengthen believers and non-believers. It is when we write we demonstrate, through written expression, our gratitude for God’s love toward us. We are able to lead others into victory.

So, go ahead. Accept the promises God made with you. Write knowing that He sent you to earth to deliver a specific message and touch many hearts. This promise will nullify any notions of weakness and smallness from our perspective. God’s promise, when we meditate on it as Christian writers, tells us that we are more than conquerors and are able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever think. Why? Because God is with us. So, write and publish.